Tracker-bar mechanism



Sept. 23, 1924. V

' r. M. REIMERS TRACKER BAR MECHANISM Jive Liar 1: l 1 .rlunuuh AU FiledOct. 16 1922 Sept. 23, I924.

T. M. REIMERS TRACKER BAR MECHANISM Filed Oct 16, ,{922

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 23 1924.

T. M. REIMERS TRACKER BAR MECHANISM Filed Oct. 16, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet.3

flue/Z221" Patented Sept. 23, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THEODORE M. REIMERS, OF OAK PARK, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T SMITH. BARNES &STROHBER COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

TRACKER-BAR MECHANISM.

To all whom it may concern: g

Be it'known that I, THEODORE M. Rnuinns, a subject of the King ofDenmark, and a resident of Oak Park, in the county of Cook and State ofIllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements -in'lracker-Bar hlechanism; and I do hereby declare that the following is afull, clear, and exact description thereof, reference be. ing had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon,which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in tracker bar mechanism formusical instru-v ments and consists of the matters hereinafter describedand more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a simple and eflicientmechanism for maintaining full registry between the perforations of themusic sheet and the openings in the tracker bar.

A further object of the invention is to furnish a mechanism of the kind,which is of simple and economical construction, with comparatively fewparts, capable of production at small cost, and which is so arranged andcorrelated with the music sheet mechanism that it may be readilyinstalled in old player pianos, or may be embodied in new pianos Withoutmaterial changes in the construction of said pianos.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism. whichis extremely sensitive and quick in its operation so that positiveregistry is maintained at all' times.

The aforesaid objects and advantages-of the invention will more fullyappear as I proceed with my specification.

In the drawings F"g. l is a View in front elevation of a tracker boxmechanism of a player piano, embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a view in elevation of the left hand end of the tracker box.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the same on the line 3-3 of F ig.1.

Fig. i is a vertical detail sectional view on an enlarged scale, takenon the line 44 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal detail sectional view taken 011 the line 5-5 ofFig. 4:.- I

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of several of the parts shown at therightliand end of Fig. 1, with some of said parts in a changed relation.

Figs. 7 and 8 are vertical detail sectional views taken on the lines 7-7and 8-8 respectively of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a vertical detail sectional view on a further enlarged scale,as taken on the line 9---S) of Fig. 8.

Iiig. 10 is a perspective view of one of the bracket plates in which theends of the tracker bar are supported.

Fig. 11 is a detail perspective view of one end of the tracker bar.

F lg. 12 is a longitudinal vertical section through the right hand endof the tracker bar, and shows the transposing mechanism associatedtherewith.

Referring now in detail to that embodiment of the invention illustratedin the accompanying drawings as applied to the familiar player piano :10indicates the open front tracker box or casing of the player piano. Saidbox includes the spaced upright side walls 11 and 12 respectively, atopwall 13 and a bottom wall or board 11 which is extended beyond the sidewall 12 for the support of the operating gearing and motor.

15 indicates the perforated music sheet wound on a spool 15, which isremovably connected to horizontal shaft parts 16 and 17, journalled insuitable bearings provided therefor in and near the top ends of the sidewalls 11 and 12 of the tracker box. The shaft part 17 extends beyond theside wall 12 where it has bearing in an upright standard 18, which isone support for the unwinding and rewinding gear train. 19 indicates thespool upon which the perforated music sheet is wound in the playingoperation. Said roll is mounted on horizontal shaft parts 20 and 21respectively, journalled in'suitable bearings in and near the bottomends of the side walls 11 and 12 of the tracker box in the usual manner.The shaft part 21, like the shaft part 17, extends beyond the'side wall12, where it has bearing in the standard 18.

22 indicates the tracker bar. This tracker bar is a channel bar with aconvexly rounded front" wall 23 and top and bottom horizontal flanges 21, 25. The front wall has the usual row of openings 26 with which areconnected the nipples 27, (see Fig. 3) one 'in bracket plates 29, (see.Figs. 1 and secured to the front edges of the upright end walls 11 and12 of the box,.the saidend walls-being cut away or notched in line'wit-hthe tracker bar so that the'front wall of'th'e tracker bar is flush withthe front edges of said uprightend walls. Y-Eachbracket plate has afront flange 30 which is screwed to the front edge of the associatedside wall and a side flange31 which engages with the inner surface ofsaid side wall. In each side flangeis provideda centrally disposedopening 32 in'which .the ends of 'the tracker bar have bearing. In eachend of the top flange 24 of the tracker bar :is:a rectangular opening-'2P, (see Fig. 11) the "flange being indented on each side of said openingto provide transverse grooves 24 the purpose of which will appear later.

34: indicates a horizontal rod locatedcloselyabove the tracker :bar 22.This rod is capable of both a limited endwise and zrotative movement andcarries opposed guide plates 35, which engage the edges of the musicsheet 15. Said rod extends through holes 33 in the flanges 31 of thebracket plates :29, (see Fig. 10) and has=a bearing sup-port uponrollers 24warranged in the openings 24 in thetracker bar. Each rollerhas trunnions which bear in the g1'o0ves2 l" associated with saidopenings. A'third'rollin the side wall '12 ofthe trackerbar, assiststheother rollers to provide the antifriction bearing for said rod, sothat frictional resistance'is reduced-to a minimum.

' Each guide 35, as shown, is in the form of an elongated plate, with asleeve 36 .at its bottom "end engaged upon the rod '34. lhe guide platenear the end wall '12 :of the box'is capableof alimited endwisemovement-with respect to saidrod. Apart of the metal forming :the sleeveof the last mentioned guide-plates 35,1is cut and'bent .back between itsendsto formntwo stop lips 36, 36 (see Fig. 5). A ra'dialstud 37 is fixedto the rod34: in the opening'leftin the sleeve by said lips, and pivotedon the-top end of said stud is a bell crank lever 38,the :horizontal arm'58 of which isweightedwhil'e the vertical 'arm 38 engages "the 'lip36". Each guide plate has a flange 39 i'formed:to define a groove 40,(see :Fig. 5) to receive the edge of the music-sheet vand to hold itfrom accidental displacement from the guideplate. As the sheet weaves orshifts later-' ally, a corresponding movement is imparted to the guideplates 35 and .a resultant endwisemovement to the rod"34. The right handend. 34? of said r d extendsbeyentl t right hand wall 12 for a purposewhich will appear later. Secured to the rod end 3.4,

nearithe'end wall 12 of .the box lO, is a small v movement. Associatedwith that end of said rod outside .of the end wall 11 of thetracker box,is a means-for rotating the rod to nor- 'mally .urge the guide plates 35outwardlyagainst the music sheet 15 to hold the same substantially taut.Fixed to said'end of=the rod is a short arm 34- (see 2)" the-free end ofwhich engagesJin the forked end 34 of'a lever 34 thebp-posite end ofwhich car-- r1esa'we1ght34. Said lever is pivotedon a -pl1l-34 carriedby a laterally extending stud 34 on \the flange 31 of the associatedplate 29 in such a manner as to be capable of a swinging movement inboth a horizontal and a vertical plane. :Laterally extending pins 34on-saidflange3l limits the vertical swing of the arm 3% and lever 3Thus, no matter in what longitudinal position the rod 351 happens to bein, the arm and leverarrangement willalways act'to rotate said rod tourge the guideplates 35outwardly against the music sheet to hold ittaut.

The shafts 17 and 21 of the spools 19 and 15 are driven in theirrespective directions The rod 34, as before in theusual way, asfollows.:- 41 indicates a pneumati'mmotor mounted'on the end extensionof the bottom wall or board '14. Said motor drives a crank shaft 4-2which carries a sprocket wheel 43 at one end; (see 'Fig. 1) el lindicatcs a horizontal drive shaft arranged intermediate. the shaftparts 17 and21. This shaft 4A has bearing between itsendsin thestandard18,'and at its ends areupright standards 14:5 and a6 respectively, theone (45) beingfixed flZO the outer-surface of thebox wall :12 and the.other. (46) being apart of a yoke which isfixed at its ends to thestandard 118, asshown in Fig. 1; Fixed to t-he outer end of the shaft44: near the standard 46,:is a sprocket 47 which is driven by-a chain 47'from1the sprocket 13 on the crank shaft 42. Feathered on-the ,innerzendof'the shaft 44 adjacent to the standard 415 isan elongated spur pinion48 which meshes with a spur gear 49 on the winding spool shaft :part 21.lLoose onthe shaft 44 near the bearing '18, isa: sprocket wheel 50which, through a chain 51, drives a sprocket 52 on the music roll shaft.part '17.

53 indicates a combined clutch shifting and braking bar which ispivotedat a point intermediate its ends on'a bracket 54-extendin'g:laterelly from the side wall-12. Said lever-carries a -pin'.55which'extends into' a peripheral groove in one end ofthe pinion 48,and-s-aitl pinion .hasa longitudinal pin 36 which, when thepinionisshifted endwise-in one direction, extends into the path of a similarpinz57 .onthe-sprocket 50 so .asito be driven thereby. The bottom end ofthe lever is connected in any convenient manner with the actuatingmember in the control board of the piano, while the top end of saidlever coacts with the brake shoe 17 associated with a disc l7 on theshaft part 17. lVhen the lever as is in the position shown in Fig. l,the pinion 48 will drive the gear 49 to wind the perforated sheet uponthe spool 19 and when said lever is in its other position, the sprocket50 is clutched or connected to the pinion 48tl1rough the pins 56-57 todrive the shaft part 17 to rewind the perf0 'ated sheet upon the spool15 58 indicates a relatively short horizontal shaft, arranged in a planebelow the winding spool shaft part 21. The right hand end 59 isscrew-threaded and extends through a threaded hole inthe standard 46,said thread being relatively fine. The left hand end of said shaft bearsin an aperture in the stand ard or bar 18 and to said end is fixed aperipherally grooved collar 60, (see Fig. 6). A vertically disposed arm61 is operatively engaged at one. end with the grooved collar (30 whilethe other end of said arm is connected by a horizontal rod 62 to thetracker bar 22, as will later appear. Y

F bred to the shaft 58, adjacent the stand ards 46 and 18, arecomparatively large spur gears 64 and 65 respectively. The gear 64meshes with a smaller spur gear 66 loose on the shaft 44 near thesprocket 47. An arm 67 so connects the two gears 64 and 66 that theywill move together longitudinally. The bottom end of said arm engagesthe grooved hub 64 of the gear 64 and the top end of said arm is forked,(see Fig. 8) and engages the grooved hub 66 of the gear 66 so as tomaintain said gears in the proper relation. The gear 65 meshes with apinion 68 journalled in a stud 69 carried by a sec- 0nd arm 70, saidpinion meshing with a second pinion -71, loose on the shaft 44. The arm70 is connected to the gears 65 and 71 in the same manner as the arm 67is connected to the gears 64 and 66 so that the gear 65 and pinions 68and 71 will move together longitudinally. The gear 66 and the pinion 71each carries an inwardly facing clutch pin 72.

73 indicates a peripherally grooved collar, which is rotative with butcapable of a limited endwise movement on the shaft 44 be tween thevertical planes of the gear 66 and pinion 71, said collar carryingoutwardly facing clutch pins 74, adapted to engage either of the clutchpins 72, before mentioned. By this construction, it is apparent thatwhen the collar 73is shifted endwise on the shaft 44 in eitherdirection, one of its pins 74 will engage with one of the pins 72, anddrive the associated gear or pinion 67 or 71. The collar 73 is providedbetween its ends with a peripheral groove 75 to receive the forked end 76 of an arm 77 (see Figs. 6 and 9) the other end of the arm being fixedto the extreme right hand end 34 of the rod 34, before mentioned.

The operation of the tracker mechanism is follows :lVhen a roll is beingplayed, the marginal edges of the sheet 15 pass over the guideplates 35and over the tracker bar 22 on the way tothe winding spool 19. Shouldthe sheet shift or weave laterally toward the right so that theperforations in the music sheet move out of register with the openings26 in the tracker bar 22, an endwise move ment in the same direction isimparted to the shift rod 34 and clutch collar 73, through the guideplate 35. This will move the collar toward the gear 66 and operativelyconnect the two together through the clutch pins 72 and 74 so that thegear will rotate with the clutch collar. As said gear is permanently inmesh with the gear 64 on the shaft 58, said gear 64 and shaft will berotated in a reverse direction. By reason of the screw threaded hearingwhich the shaft end 59 has in the standard 46, the shaft 58 will moveendwise toward the standard 46 and will, through the collar 60, and armand rod 61, 62, shift or pull the tracker bar 22 to the right to bringthe openings in the same again into register with the perforations inthe music sheet. As said shaft 58 moves endwise toward the right. underthe screw thread action before mentioned, the gear 66 will move awayfrom and out of engagement with collar 73, the parts all remaining inthis last position as long as the perforations in the note sheet and theopenings in the tracker bar 22 register.

Should the perforated music sheet now shift or move laterally toward theleft, the collar 73 is caused to move endwise toward the left by meansof the shift rod 34, until it is operatively connected to the pinion 71through the pins 72 and 74. Said pinion, through the pinion 68 and gear65, will rotate the sha t 58 in adirection the reverse of that justdescribed, and will cause said shaft to move endwise toward the left, alike movement being imparted to the tracker bar through the connectionsbefore described, to bring the openings in the tracker bar again intoregister with the perforations in the music sheet. By reason of theendwise movement of the shaft 58 toward the left, the arm 70 moves inthe same direction disengaging the pinion from the collar 73. Thus, nomatter in what direction the music shifts or weave-s, the tracker bar isshifted endwise to follow the weave of the music sheet, so that completeregistry is maintained at all times.

In Fig. 12 is illustrated an adjustable connection between the trackerbar 22 and rod 62 by means of which the tracker bar may be shifted ineither direction, with reference to the openings "26 in the Web of thetracker;

bar. An arnr-Sl is pivoted at one endto the uprightmember of the yokeandits other end is formed to provide a detent 82 adapted toengage in'anyone of thenotches 62" of the rod;,62. Thedetent end of said arm carriesa laterally extending pin 83 wl' ich projects forwardly through anarcuate slot25 (see Fig. '1) inthe front ch23 of the trackerbar 22.Mounted onthe other ar1n'79 of the yoke 78 is a leaf spring Sat,which'urges the arm 81 downwardly-to yieldingly hold the detent in oneof the notches to connect the tracker bar 22and rod 62 together. Shouldit-be desired to transposethe music to a higher or a lower key,-the pin83 is moved upwardly of the slot 23 to unlock the tracker bar'from therod 62, When the tracker. bar may then be manually shifted to the leftor right, a distance equal to that between one or more of the notches 62in thebar 62. \Vhen the proper adjustment has beenmade, the pin 83 isreleased and the detent 82-will enter the associated notch 62 intherod62 and again lock the tracker bar and rod together. This Will changethe prior relation between the tracker bar openings and the note sheetopenings to aifectthe transposition of music, a note or more accordingto the adjustment madebetvveen the-tracker barand rod 62.

As-the gear and pinions on the shafts 58 and 4.14 are always in mesh,noise of shifting gears in eliminated.

The improved registry mechanism is extremely positive and quick in itsaction and is quite sensitive in operation so as to accommodate anyminute weaving of'the music sheet.- The device is noiseless and does notinclude such small parts as will Wear rapidly andthus develop alooseplay which must be taken up by fine adjustments.

The stop 34: and the arm 34 on the shift rod 34'prevent accidental orcareless displacement oft'he rod, by hand or otherwise, beyond thelimits of the endvvise movement which it is intended to have.

After a music sheet has been once played and it is rewound upon itsroll, it has been found by actual operation that, upon a replaying ofthe music sheet, no weaving occurs in the same. The bell crank 32associated with the guide plate 35 engaging the light band edgeofthemusic sheet, positively insures engagement ofsaid guide .plate withsaid edge, .no matter how uneven said edge may be. Furthermore, .thelever 34 will always act to urge-the guide plates toward the musicsheettokeep-thesame taut, no matter whatthe longitudinal positionof theshiftrod happens toibe. As weights are used in each oft-lie aboveinstancesg the operating force will remain constant, so that no tineadjustments need ;be made, as

able in the Weaving of the music sheet,vpe-r-- nianently engaging meanson-said shafts for driving said second shaft in eitherdirection, andmeans actuated in :the endwise -movement of said rod forconnecting apart of said permanently engaged means to said drive shaft.

2. In a mechanismof the kind described, the combination of a music.Sh,eet=roll shaft and an'end-Wise movable tracker bar, a drive shaftfor said roll sha gft, a second shaft mounted for endwise movement whengrotated, a device connecting said secondsha-ft- \vitlrthe tracker bar,a rod, endwisemovable. in the Weaving of'the music sheet, two setsofgearing i itermediate the drive-shaftand said second shaft, SEHd'SQtSincluding gear elements loose on the drive shaft andgear elements fixedto said second shaft, and means actuated in the endwise movement of-saidrod foroperatively connecting either of the loosegear elements to saiddrive-shaft.

3. In a mechanism of the kind described, the combination of .a'm'usicsheetroll shaft and an endwise movable tracker bar, aldrive shaftforsaid ro'l-lshaft, asecond shaft mounted for endwise movement whenrotated, a device connectingsaid second shaft with thetracker bar, arod,end-Wise movable in the Weaving of=the music sheet, ntWO sets of gearingintermediate :the drive shaftand said second shaft for driving said"second shaft in either direct-ion, said sets of gearsncludingpermanently meshing gear elements, the gem-elements on the driveshaftbeing loose thereon. a clutch member keyed to'the drive shaftbetween said loose gear elements, and -means actuating said clutch fromsaid rod for operatively conwould be necessary if spring .ineans -werenecting either loose gear element to the drive shaft.

4. In a mechanism of the kind described, the combination of a musicsheet roll shaft and an endwise movable tracker bar, a drive shaft forsaid roll shaft, a second shaft mounted for endwise movement whenrotated, a device connecting said second shaft with the tracker bar, arod, endwise movable in the weaving of the music sheet, two sets ofgearing intermediate the drive shaft and said second shaft for drivingsaid second shaft in either direction, each set of gearing including agear element loose on the drive shaft, means actuated by said rod foroperatively connecting either loose gear element to said drive shaft,and means connecting the gear elements of each set to each other so thatthe gear elements of the active set will move longitudinally of thedrive shaft when said second shaft is rotated by said active set of gearelements.

5. In a mechanism of the kind described,

i the combination of a music sheet roll shaft and an endwise movabletracker bar, a drive shaft for said roll shaft, a second shaft mountedfor endwise movement when rotated, a device connecting said second shaftwith the tracker bar, a rod, endwise movable in the weaving of the'musicsheet, two sets of gearing intermediate the drive shaft and said secondshaft for driving said second shaft in either direction, each set ofgearing including a gear element loose on the drive shaft, and an armconnecting the hubs of the gear elements of each set together, so thatthe gear elements of the active set will move longitudinally of thedrive shaft, away from said means which connects the loose gear elementsthereof to said drive shaft, when said second shaft is rotated by saidactive set of gear elements.

6. In a mechanism of the kind described, the combination of spaced,upright standards, a drive shaft journalled therein, a sec ond shaft.one end of said second shaft 1 eing journalled in one of said standardsand the other end of said shaft being threaded through the otherstandard, a large gear fixed to said second shaft near one standard, asecond gear loose on the drive shaft and meshing with the large gear, anarm coir necting said gears so that they will move togetherlongitudinally, a third gear fixed to said second shaft near the otherstandard, a pinion loose on the drive shaft, a second pinion connectingthe first pinion with said third gear, an arm connecting said third gearand pinions so that they will move together longitudinally, and a clutchcollar on the drive shaft between said loose gear and loose pinionthereon, movable under the action of said rod to connect either saidloose gear or said loose pinion to said drive shaft.

7. In a mechanism of the kind described, the combination of a trackerbox having end walls, a tracker bar mounted in said end walls and overwhich a music sheet is drawn, shifting means connected to said trackerbar, a rod controlling the movement of said shifting means and capableof endwise movement under the weaving action of said music sheet, andmeans providing an antifriction bearing support for said rod.

8. In a mechanism of the kind described, the combination of a trackerbox having end walls, a tracker bar mounted in said end walls, and overwhich a music sheet is drawn, shifting means connected to said trackerbar, a rod parallel with the tracker bar and movable endwise under theweaving action of the music sheet, said rod controlling the movement ofsaid shifting means and members carried by the tracker bar providing anantifrict-ion bearing support for said rod.

9. In a mechanism of the kind described, the combination of a trackerbox having end walls, a tracker bar mounted in said end walls, and overwhich a music sheet is drawn, said tracker bar having recesses in itsends, shifting means connected to said tracker bar, a rod parallel withthe tracker bar and movable under the weaving action of the music sheet,said rod controlling the movement of said shifting means and rollersmounted in the tracker bar recesses providing an antifriction bearingsupport for said rod.

10. In a mechanism of the kind described, the combination of an endwisemovable rod, guide plates on said rod, over which the margins of a musicsheet must pass, one of said guide plates having a sleeve surroundingthe rod and being capable of a limited endwise movement on said rod, apart of said sleeve being cut away to form an opening having a lip atone end thereof, a studfixed to the rod and extending through saidopening, and a lever mounted on said stud, one end of the lever beingengaged with said lip and the other end being weighted, so as tonormally urge said plate into engagement with the edge of the associatedmusic sheet margin.

11. In a mechanism of the kind described, the combination of a musicsheet roll element and a tracker bar element, the one being movable withrespect to the other, 168.118 actuated in the weaving of the music sheetfor imparting an endwise movement to one of said elements, a rodoperatively connected to said last mentioned means, guide plates carriedby said rod to engage the margins of the music sheet so that said rod ismoved endwise under the weaving action of the music sheet, and weightcontrolled means op-eratively connected to said rod to rotate the sameand urge the guide plates into engagament with the music sheet margins.

12 In combination, a. trackerbox, a tracker bartherein, capable of anendwisemovement, and over -which a music sheet vis drawn, a. rod mountedin the tracker box, and capable of alimited rotative and end- Wis-emoven'ient, guide plates on therod for engaging themargins' of the musicsheet, and a Weighted lever operatively connected to the rod for turningthe same to cause the guide plates to engage the music sheet margins,said lever and rod having engaging parts which Will operate irrespectiveof the longitudinal position of said rod.

13. Ina mechanisinof the kind described, the combination of a. musicsheet roll el-ement and a tracker bar element, the one element beingendwise movable with respect to the other, meanscontrolled by theWeaving of the music sheet for imparting a relative endWise movementbetween said elements to again bring them into registration, and devicesconnecting one of said elements with said last mentioned means, saiddevices being capable of being adjusted to change the relation of thelines of music openings in the music sheet with the openings in thetracker bar for the purpose of transposition.

14;. Ina mechanism of the kind described, the combination of a musicsheet roll shaft and an endWise movable tracker bar, means controlled bythe Weaving of the music sheet for imparting anendwise movement: tothetracker bar, and a. transposing device interposed between said lastmentioned means and the tracker bar.

15.- Ina. mechanism of the kind described, the combination of a musicsheet roll shaft and an endWise movable tracker bar, a normallystationary rod, and means connecting saidtracker bar with the rod andcapable of being adjusted to change therelation of the lines of musicopenings in the music sheet with the openings of the tracker bar for thepurpose of transposition l6.- In combination with: an endwise movabletracker bar, a yoke Within the tracker bar, a. notched rod extendingthrough said yoke, and a. spring controlled dete-nt mount ed on the yokeand operable from Without the tracker bar for releasing thedetent fromthe notch for purpose of changing the ne-- lative position between saidtracker bar and rod. V In testim'ony that I- claim the foregoing: as myinvention, I afiix my signature in thepresence of two Witnesses, this144th day of October, 1922.

THEODORE M; REIMERSL Witnesses N. B. SULLIVAN, T. H. Amrnnns,

